Adjustable Connector for Electrical Cable with Rotating Dovetail Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical cable fittings, particularly for armored cables, are cumbersome and expensive due to the need for multiple fittings to achieve various bend angles, making it difficult to install cables in tight spaces and requiring users to stock a variety of fittings for different angles.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable connector system comprising a body, hub, and coupling nut with angularly disposed mating surfaces and dovetail mechanisms, allowing the connector to form bend angles from 0 to 135 degrees, facilitating easy installation and adjustment without the need for multiple fittings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid conduit or multiple approved fittings are used to achieve various bend angles, then the cable installation can be accomplished, but the device complexity increases and installation time is lost due to requiring multiple different fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a rotatable body that can assume multiple angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135° bends) relative to the hub, allowing a single fitting to perform the function of multiple different angle fittings. The body rotates about the central axis to achieve different bend angles, eliminating the need to stock multiple specialized fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector transitions from a static, fixed-angle fitting to a dynamic, adjustable-angle fitting. The body can be rotated to different positions during installation and then locked in place using the coupling nut, providing adaptability while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic capability allows the same connector to serve multiple bend angle requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different fittings for various angles are stocked, then all bend angle requirements can be met, but inventory costs increase and storage space is required
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal connector design replaces the need to maintain inventory of multiple angle-specific fittings. The rotatable body mechanism enables one connector type to fulfill the role of several different fittings, thereby reducing inventory variety and associated costs while maintaining full adaptability to various bend angle requirements.
3Ease of operation
If armored cable is used instead of rigid conduit, then installation ease and flexibility improve, but the bend radius limitation makes tight bends difficult without fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The connector merges the hub and body into a single integrated assembly that provides both the structural connection and the bending capability. The body is directly attached to the hub and rotates about its central axis, combining what could be separate components into one unified fitting that simplifies installation while enabling tight bends through the rotational mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable connector for an electrical cable formed from a body, a hub and a coupling nut. The body has a flanged end with a scalloped edge and a face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and a cable connecting end. The hub includes an end with a mating surface that has a dovetail extending around about one half of the outer perimeter and the mating surface is angularly disposed to the central axis. The coupling nut has first and second ends and an opening extending therebetween with internal threads. The dovetail on the mating surface of the hub is adapted to receive the flanged end of the body and the coupling nut is threaded onto the hub to secure the flanged end in the dovetail.